The guns of WHAM-0

mauser

mauser

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Also known as "The Gun That Never Was," the WAMO Powermaster Pistol caused something of a stir when it was first discussed on forums like this a few years back. However, as they became better known - more specimens showing up on the auction block and at gun shows - it became a challenge to tie them in with the folks at WHAM-0.

Yes, WHAM-O, those same fun folk who brought us Frisbees and Hula Hoops and other great TOY items!

One gun researcher contacted WHAM-O asking about their connection with WAMO and the company denied ever having made an actual firearm! Since then various old WHAM-O items have appeared in their original packaging which featured WAMO products which were listed as SPORTS items: blowguns, dueling swords (epees), crossbows, etc.. And, some even featured .22rf firearms, like this package for their Hunting Slingshot!!!

WAMOAD2.jpg


We now know from such material that there were at least THREE firearms offered under the WAMO logo: Powermaster Pistol, Powermaster Rifle, and Hamilton Dueling Pistol.

I've so far managed to obtain TWO of the three. This is the WAMO Powermaster Pistol:

WAMOLFTSIDE6002.jpg


And this is the latest addition, WAMO Powermaster Rifle:

1WAMOPOWERMASTERRIFLE.jpg


The "magazine" on it is actually a container to store two boxes of .22rf LR.

WAMOMAGAZINE400.jpg


So, I now only need to obtain one of the WAMO Hamilton Dueling Pistols. Anyone got one they can spare?
THUMBUPSMILIE.gif


Best regards ~ ~ ~ mauser

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. ~ Benjamin Franklin
 
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Thanks for the kind words, Blasty. It took me a while to decide which direction my collecting was going to take. I decided to go with THIS: .22rf, single-shot firearms, made in the US and/or Canada, the more oddball the better, and thought of as "cheapies" even in their own time period.

I have a couple of highly specialized exceptions to that with my collecting AND researching the Mossberg Brownie 4-shooter, and the four known French-made Gevarm, 22rf semi-auto rifles.

Part of my pleasure in collecting is not just owning something unusual, but also to discuss that oddball and learn as much about it as possible through other folks' knowledge of it. I should have said, THAT is a major part of my pleasure in collecting.

And, cyclone, what IS that thing? I certainly don't recognize it as part of the WHAM-O/WAMO family...

Best regards ~ ~ ~ mauser

"This year will go down in history! For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration! Our streets will be safer, our police force more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future." Adolph Hitler, 1934
 
Grizzlypeg, I thought I had answered your questions.

The WHAM-O package is not mine but I recall seeing them in the late '50s. The gun photos I can date quickly: I obtained the pistol and photographed it Aug. 2006, and the rifle two nights ago.

However, I think you meant you want to know when those guns were being marketed. I have pistol ads from American Rifleman July 1956, and all that WAMO SPORTS PRODUCTS stuff was in that same VERY brief period. I don't recall EVER seeing the rifle advertised...

AMERICANRIFLEMANJULY56.jpg


That WHAM-O slingshot box also shows their B.B. Pistol which I remember seeing during that same time frame. As explained in this ad, it fired a cap which propelled a B.B. down the barrel. Not really a firearm.

wamo-name.jpg


Best regards ~ ~ ~ mauser
 
Colt SCAMP
SCAMP2.jpg

The SCAMP (Small Caliber Machine Pistol) was developed to be a worthy successor for the Colt Model 1911 Government (that has the impressive calibre of .45ACP). Just like this, the SCAMP machine pistol was rather large but would have given its user full-auto fire or a three-round burst of soft body armour penetrating small calibre high-velocity bullets (only the Tuma mte .224 VA bullets seem to be faster in this category!). Note its compensator against muzzle climb and the lack of buttstock and fore grip. The cartridge’s effective range with the SCAMP’s long barrel likely outperformed the weapon’s practical range. It’s also beyond my understanding why a high-velocity weapon with insufficient ergonomics for 100 m (for example) would need windage-adjustable sights. I would have put this gun into the SCHV category if it had something like a buttstock or fore grip and therefore the ergonomics for longer shots (100m for example). It would probably have goten such features if it ever went into production.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_SCAMP
 
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